Is there a plugin that will replace a line with a curve?

[xiombarg]

I'm wondering if there is a plugin or a relatively easy way to replace a line with a curve that is already part of a piece of built geometry?

[erikB]

make bezier curve (free), or Tgi3D ($)
greetings,
erikB

[TIG]

If there are at least two lines in the potential 'curve' try 'weld.rb', free from Smustard.com.
If there are edges joining at vertex-nodes then the curve cannot be made as it's divided by the third line at the vertex.

However, you can do it this way...
Select the lines and use Move+Ctrl to make a copy off to one side that does not clash with any other geometry.
Now 'weld' those selected lines together to make a curve.
Move the curve back over the original lines snapping to a common end.
The curve will get split into parts by the other intersecting lines at vertex-nodes, but the parts will remain as curves, giving smoothed edges when extruded etc...

If you already have extruded edges that you'd like to be smooth they can be made smooth using Erase+Ctrl, or by Selection > Entity Info details etc...

[xiombarg]

I guess what I'm really looking for is more of a deformation tool that will take a single edge or plane and allow it to be curved (moved) in isolated segments. In Maya and some of the other organic modellers this is usually called a lattice (which is probably what I should have asked for to begin with...) but basically a lattice allows you to designate a custom scaling box around an object with user specified number of evenly spaced handles on all three planes, but instead of "scale" handles they work as "move" handles affecting only an isolated area of the shape that fits between one handle to the next and by moving a handle the lattice will automatically insert the necessary vertices and edges to make the deformation happen. Is there a plugin that might do something along these line.

[Rich O Brien]

Tgi3d SU amorph plugin as mentioned earlier has something close to this.

Also Thomthom's unreleased Bezier Surface.

[Pilou]

Seems your last description is the Free Form Deformation box

And the Shape Bender , and the Fredo Scale

[xiombarg]

Hey thanks to all you guys, Sketchy FFD is exactly what I was hoping to find, but these other tools are great as well and I plan on using all of them!

[xiombarg]

Just gotta say that the Tgi3D plugin is amazing. I've been messing around with it, trying to familiarize myself with how it works, and I'm just stunned.